Welcome to this month’s Department newsletter. Over the past few weeks, I have been thinking a lot about the concept of a “health system” and what that means for faculty, staff, our patients, and the community. Recently, a friend of mine, Jeff Goldsmith, wrote a piece for the Harvard Business Review that made the cogent argument that a “health system” must have certain characteristics. According to his article, “The core of a health system should be a sentient clinical entity governed by the clinicians themselves, with system logistical and financial support. This means that its clinicians — whether they are employees, contractors, or independent practitioners — must collaborate in a consistent way across the system. The care they provide must be organized, not improvised. It must be driven by consensus best practice and grounded in the best available scientific evidence of what works. To drive results, the clinical enterprise should rely on strong professional values articulated by clinical leadership. Care performance should be constantly examined and continuously improved.” I think this quote is extremely important in these changing times and emphasizes the core principles that our Department is grounded in self-governance, professionalism, evidence-based practice, and a focus on continued improvement. Each aspect translates into a better experience for patients and families and better outcomes. It is also what distinguishes us from other professions and jobs. Ultimately, it comes down to our values, and I am so proud that every day, our faculty and staff practice a selfless devotion to others with great integrity and resilience. As we face change, I urge us to remain grounded in these values and concepts. They will serve us well.
With best wishes,
Mitchell H. Rosner, MD, MACP
Henry B. Mulholland Professor of Medicine
Chair, Department of Medicine
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